Since 2010, hundreds of magicians have attended the Magic at the Beach convention for practitioners of magic.

Last week the Myrtle Beach City Council proclaimed Jan.. 13 to 19 as Magic Week.

More than 250 magicians are expected to attend this year’s the three-day convention, with a Champions of Magic show slated for Saturday at the Gilmore Auditorium at the Carolina Opry.

“The show will feature some of the best magicians from around the world brought together on stage for the first time ever,” said Mike Heidtman, producer of Champions of Magic, in an email.

Magicians will attend the convention, hosted by the Ocean Dunes Resort and Conference Center, for a weekend of magic shows, lectures and workshops, according to a press release.

Performers in the show include Rudy Coby – “the coolest magician on earth,” quick-change artists David and Dania from “America’s Got Talent,” comedy illusionists Les and Dazzle and others.

“Magic at the Beach has quickly established itself as the premier event of its kind in South Carolina,” Councilman Randal Wallace read from the proclamation last week. “The Magic at the Beach convention provides a boost for the area’s economy, while the Champions of Magic show provides unique entertainment for residents and visitors alike.”

The show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Gilmore Theater, 8901 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. For tickets, call 913-1422. For more information visit www.championsofmagicshow.com.

Council approves $15,000 for central processing location for needy

The City Council approved a motion appropriating $15,000 to fund the salary of a new employee at Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach who would be in charge of processing all homeless people and other needy who go to the facility looking for help.

The funding came at the request of a homeless coalition of organizations in Myrtle Beach who all work to help the needy.

The organizations have worked for the past year to find ways to better help the homeless and others in need, Mary Jeffcoat told Myrtle Beach City Council members during a December workshop. Jeffcoat has facilitated meetings among service providers, local governments, churches and others since the Myrtle Beach City Council resolved last fall to spearhead the group.

The employee would work 35 hours a week at $15 an hour, making $30,000 a year. The coalition asked for the $15,000 to fund the first half of 2013.

MLK closures of city offices and facilities

City offices and facilities will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The collection schedule for trash and recycling will shift, with zone 1 being serviced on Jan. 22 instead of Monday. zone 2, which is normally picked up on Tuesdays, will be serviced Jan. 23. Zone 3 – usually picked up on Wednesdays – and zone 4 both will be serviced Jan. 24.